Private Number Plate Maker | Replacement Plates from £12.45

Executive Summary

The UK government’s Road Safety Strategy, launched on 7 January 2026, introduces targeted measures to crack down on illegal number plates, including ghost plates designed to evade ANPR camera systems. For UK drivers, this means stricter enforcement of existing regulations under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, with potential number plate fines up to £1,000 per offence under Section 42 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

Critically, the strategy does not change the fundamental legal requirements for number plates – BS AU 145e:2018 remains the mandatory standard for all plates supplied after 1 September 2021. At Private Number Plate Maker Ltd (RNPS ID: 73132), we manufacture every plate to these exact specifications at our Ilford workshop, ensuring full compliance with DVLA requirements and the new enforcement focus. If your plates were fitted before September 2021 and meet the previous BS AU 145d standard, they remain legal, but any replacement number plates must now meet the tougher 145e criteria for reflectivity, impact resistance, and NIR compatibility.

What the January 2026 Road Safety Strategy Actually Says About Number Plates

The Official Announcement

On 7 January 2026, the Department for Transport published its first comprehensive Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, setting an ambitious target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. Within the strategy’s four-pillar framework – supporting road users, technology and innovation, safe infrastructure, and robust enforcement – number plate compliance features prominently under the enforcement pillar.

The strategy explicitly states: “New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ plates designed to fool camera systems, while also cracking down on uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MOT”. This is not a new law, but a renewed commitment to enforce existing DVLA regulations more rigorously using modern technology and coordinated policing.

What This Means for UK Drivers

The strategy does not introduce new technical specifications for number plates. Instead, it reinforces that:

All plates must comply with the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.
Plates supplied after 1 September 2021 must meet BS AU 145e standards.
Characters must use the mandatory Charles Wright font introduced in 2001.
Suppliers must be registered with the DVLA under the RNPS scheme.

The practical implication is increased scrutiny. ANPR camera networks, now enhanced with NIR-compatible detection, can more easily identify plates that fail reflectivity tests or use non-standard fonts. Local authorities and police forces are being directed to prioritise enforcement against plates that deliberately obscure characters or use reflective sprays to defeat camera systems.

Enforcement Timeline and Penalties

There is no phased rollout or grace period announced. Enforcement of existing number plate regulations has been ongoing, but the 2026 strategy signals intensified focus. The penalties remain as set out in legislation:

Section 42 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 provides for fines up to level 3 on the standard scale, currently £1,000 per offence.
Non-compliant plates can also result in MOT failure under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations.
In serious cases involving fraud or deliberate obstruction, additional charges under the Fraud Act 2006 may apply.

The strategy also mentions consulting on whether vehicle registration offences should attract penalty points on driving records, though no timeline or outcome has been confirmed.

How Plate-Maker Plates Remain Fully Compliant

As a DVLA-registered manufacturer (RNPS ID: 73132) based in Ilford, East London, we have always manufactured plates to the highest legal standards. The 2026 strategy reinforces why our approach matters:

On-site manufacturing, not drop-shipping: Every plate is produced at our Eastern Avenue workshop using BS AU 145e-certified materials, with full traceability from raw material to finished product.
Document verification workflow: We follow Schedule 2 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 2001 and strict DVLA document requirements, requiring original proof of identity and entitlement before manufacturing.
Technical compliance: Our plates use the mandatory Charles Wright font with correct character dimensions (79mm height, 50mm width for cars), 11mm character spacing, and 14mm stroke thickness.
Material standards: We source only retroreflective materials certified to BS AU 145e:2018, which mandates enhanced durability and ANPR readability.
Transparent identification: Every plate we manufacture displays our supplier details and RNPS ID, as required for all registered suppliers.

Practical Next Steps for UK Drivers

Check your current plates: If fitted before 1 September 2021 and undamaged, BS AU 145d plates remain legal. If damaged, faded, or replaced after that date, they must meet BS AU 145e.
Avoid illegal modifications: Reflective sprays, tinted covers, or ANPR-proof treatments invalidate compliance and risk heavy fines. Learn more about what makes a number plate illegal.
Use a registered supplier: Only DVLA-registered suppliers (RNPS) can legally manufacture replacement plates. You can order car number plates online securely through our platform.
Keep documentation: Retain your V5C, V750, or V778 documents. Registered suppliers must record these details for three years.
Consider same-day collection: If you need compliant plates urgently, our Ilford workshop offers same-day collection with full document verification on-site.

Practical Takeaways

The 2026 Road Safety Strategy strengthens enforcement of existing number plate rules; it does not change the technical requirements.
BS AU 145e:2018 remains the mandatory standard for all plates supplied after 1 September 2021.
Fines for non-compliant plates remain up to £1,000 per offence.
Only DVLA-registered suppliers (RNPS) can legally manufacture replacement plates – always verify their registration.
At Plate-Maker, every plate is manufactured on-site in Ilford to BS AU 145e, with full document verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ghost plates legal in the UK under the 2026 Road Safety Strategy?

No, ghost plates designed to evade ANPR cameras remain illegal. The 2026 strategy reinforces enforcement against plates that obscure characters or fail reflectivity tests. You can read our full guide on whether ghost plates are legal in 2026. Legal Ghost number plates must still meet BS AU 145e standards.

How much do compliant BS AU 145e number plates cost?

Standard 2D number plates start from £24.95 per plate, with premium styles like 4D laser-cut or bevel plates from £39.95. Prices reflect BS AU 145e-certified materials and CNC machining.

Do I need to replace my number plates because of the 2026 strategy?

Not if your plates were fitted before 1 September 2021 and meet the previous BS AU 145d standard. However, any new plates must meet BS AU 145e. If your plates are faded or non-compliant, a replacement number plate is required to avoid £1,000 fines.

What documents do I need to order replacement number plates?

Under Schedule 2 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 2001, you must provide original proof of identity and entitlement (driving licence, V5C, etc.).

Can I collect number plates same-day in East London?

Yes, our Ilford workshop on Eastern Avenue offers same-day collection for orders placed before 2pm. We’re easily accessible from Barking, Romford, and Dagenham.

Will illegal number plates now attract penalty points?

The 2026 Road Safety Strategy mentions consulting on whether registration offences should carry penalty points, but no final decision has been announced. Currently, offences attract fines up to £1,000, not points. See our update on the ghost plates crackdown and penalty points.

Conclusion

The January 2026 Road Safety Strategy represents a significant commitment to reducing road casualties through smarter enforcement, not new technical rules for number plates. For drivers, the message is clear: compliance with existing regulations – BS AU 145e:2018, Charles Wright font, and use of registered suppliers – is more important than ever.

At Plate-Maker, we’ve always manufactured to these standards because compliance isn’t optional, it’s foundational. Whether you need a standard replacement, a premium 3D gel plate, or a 5D number plate for a show car, our workshop is ready to help. Ready to order compliant plates? Contact our team for next-day UK delivery or visit us in Ilford.

The 2026 Road Safety Strategy: What UK Drivers Need to Know About Number Plate Reforms